The purpose of this study is to see whether family doctors can treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), or dizziness, using a procedure in the office. The study is looking at whether the treatment procedure cures the dizziness in more patients compared to patients that receive a "sham" or placebo procedure.

Self-reported resolution (affirmative response to question: “Do you feel that the dizziness has completely resolved?”) of vertigo and/or a negative result of the Dix-Hallpike maneuver

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Duration of cure, relapse rates

Estimated Enrollment:

56

Study Start Date:

January 2002

Estimated Study Completion Date:

June 2005

Detailed Description:

Many patients consult their family physicians because of dizziness. This is a disabling condition with serious consequences, especially in older people, as it may lead to falls and consequent fractures. One of the most common causes of dizziness is the so-called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Patients with BPPV typically have severe vertigo provoked by a change in head position.

Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo can now be accurately diagnosed, and distinguished form other dizziness producing conditions, in the physician’s office and without any sophisticated diagnostics tools. Furthermore, it can be treated in the office setting by specific head positioning maneuvers (Canalith Repositioning Procedure) that are easy to learn and perform.

The Canalith Repositioning Procedure is currently almost exclusively performed in specialized settings by ENT and Internal Medicine specialists. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in these settings. However, to-date no studies have been conducted in the primary care settings about the use and efficacy of the procedure, where the condition is first seen and assessed.

This is a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the procedure performed by family doctors cures dizziness.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

confirmed BPPV by positive Dix-Hallpike test

Exclusion Criteria:

· Positive results of the Dix-Hallpike maneuver in both right and left head-hanging position;

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00182273